Instant Champagne knowledge

Champagne covers about 33,000 hectares (e.g. the equivalent of a third of Bordeaux). The main sub-districts are: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. The soil is primarily chalk. There are seven permitted grape varieties but only three are significant: Pinot Noir (12,254 ha), Pinot Meunier (10,877 ha) and Chardonnay (8,952 ha). The other grape varieties are: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. The sweetness classification:
- brut nature/non-dosé: <3g sugar per litre
- extra brut: 0-6 g/l
- brut: < 15 g/l
- extra dry: 12-20 g/l (not really dry any longer)
- sec: 17-35 g/l (quite sweet)
- demi-sec: 33-50 g/l
- doux: >55 g/l sugar